Over 300 prisoners released following changes to Criminal Code

A total of 309 people were released from Czech prisons on January 1, in line with an amendment to the Criminal Code that reduced penalties for failure to pay child support and minor drug offences. The release of individual inmates serving unconditional sentences was decided gradually by the courts. In cases involving minor cannabis-related offences, courts are expected to continue making decisions in the coming days, according to the Czech Prison Service.

Under the respective amendment, as of January 1, 2026, neglecting child support is no longer a criminal offense, unless it places children in danger of destitution.